LETTER – City council needs a clear vision on economic development
(Image: City of Kamloops)
Kamloops appears to be caught in a cycle where every major economic development discussion begins and ends with another industrial rezoning. Each proposal is promoted as the next catalyst for growth and economic diversification, yet residents are rarely shown convincing evidence that the demand exists to justify the growing inventory of industrial land.
In recent years, councillors Dale Bass, Bill Sarai, Nancy Bepple, Katie Neustaeter, Kelly Hall, Mike O’Reilly, Stephen Karpuk, and Margot Middleton have supported a series of industrial expansion initiatives, including “taxes free” expansion at the airport, development at Iron Mask Industrial Park, approval of the industrial component of Kenna Village, and continued advocacy for transportation infrastructure that would open up even more industrial lands. Taken together, these decisions raise an important question: what is the long-term economic strategy of this city council or they just incompetent.
Economic development should not be measured by the number of acres rezoned. It should be measured by sustainable businesses attracted to the community, quality jobs created, and the return on investment for taxpayers. Before approving another major industrial project, residents deserve to know which industries are expected to locate there, what market studies support the proposal, and whether sufficient demand actually exists.
These concerns become more significant when the project appears heavily dependent on a data centre and development to taxpayers. Council has acknowledged the need for a clearer policy framework and has directed administration to seek additional guidance. If more information is needed, why did they rush a decision before it is available?
Good planning requires patience. In the case of Kenna Village, significant taxpayer money on infrastructure of $250 million for water, sewer, stormwater, and roads will be required before a single building is constructed. Once these commitments are made, they are difficult to reverse.
Responsible economic development requires evidence, market demand, and a clear long-term vision not simply optimism. This Kamloops city council seems to be wandering around without any direction.
GARRY DAVIES
ArmchairMayor.ca 
Thank you for this clarity. Kamloops city council seems to act at the behest of an administration that recommends spending as though Kamloops has a tax base comparable to a city of 500,000, not 100,000.
At the same time, city hall has done nothing to curb the street disorder, vandalism and shoplifting that is hurting so many small businesses. In fact, raising parking fees and penalties will drive even more shoppers from downtown. Small business is the backbone of any community.
With the city’s reserve funds completely drained for the Performing Arts Centre overruns, the city will have no way to pay for upcoming necessary projects along with current projects except by raising taxes more and more each year.
I’m surprised that Coun. O’Reilly wants to be mayor in the next term, when overburdened taxpayers will increasingly demand accountability as the unsustainable spending of this council comes due.
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